The Biggest Blessing Choose Forgiveness

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Choosing Forgiveness Over Bitterness: A Story of Healing, Favor, and God's Faithfulness

In today’s world, it feels like there’s a constant reminder of how power can be misused. We see it in all corners of society—whether in politics, the workplace, or even in our local communities. I had an experience that brought me face-to-face with the harsh reality of how people in positions of power can sometimes abuse their authority, but it also revealed the amazing power of God’s grace and the healing that comes from trusting Him.

A few years ago, I was singled out in my town of Danbury. There were good cops and bad cops—mostly good—but it didn’t change the fact that some were abusing their power. I realized the system wasn’t perfect, and that people in positions of leadership didn’t always have accountability, despite what I’d always hoped.

During this time, I was battling my own health challenges, suffering from multiple panic attacks that sometimes lasted days. I was being tormented, and as if that wasn’t enough, a few people in power were doing favors for their friends and, in the process, misusing their influence. At first, I was angry. I hated them. But then, as I reflected, I didn’t just feel hatred—I began to feel sorry for them. I realized that they were broken, far from God, and lost in their own dysfunction.

I’ve often heard people say, “Hurt people hurt people,” and this was a prime example. These people were hurting, and I had a choice: I could either retaliate and sink to their level, making myself just as bitter and lost as they were, or I could ask God for help. I chose to lean on God, to trust Him, and to put those people on the altar. I didn’t feel it, but I chose to forgive them. And honestly, it was hard. It was really hard. But in the end, I found peace.

The Battle: Choosing God Over Bitterness

The pain I felt was overwhelming. The constant torment from those in power seemed never-ending, and every day felt like an emotional battle. They were relentless, and the temptation to fight back, to do what felt “right” in my own eyes, was so strong. But deep down, I knew I had to do things differently.

God made it clear to me that He had a plan. And it wasn’t just about the people who were hurting me—it was about how I responded. I had to make the decision to forgive them, even though they didn’t apologize. I had to pray for them, even though I didn’t feel like it.

It would have been easy to get bitter. Most people around me agreed with my frustration, and they would’ve understood if I retaliated. But I made the choice to honor God and to remain true to who I am. I didn’t want to compromise my integrity, my peace, or my heart.

Over the years, I watched as their behavior backfired on them. They reaped the harvest of their own seeds—their lies, manipulation, and greed. But here’s what I realized: It wasn’t God getting them—it was their own actions catching up with them. We reap what we sow.

And while I can admit that, at times, I struggled with feeling a little too satisfied by watching things unfold, I repented for that. In the end, God showed me that no matter what they did to me, they were accountable for their own actions. When we stand before God, He’s not going to ask me what they did wrong—He’s going to ask me what I did. And I want to be found faithful, regardless of what others did to me.

God's Favor in the Midst of Trials

Through all of this, God showed up in incredible ways. Even though I was being mistreated, I had peace that surpassed all understanding. I had joy, even in the midst of my deepest struggles. And I watched as God took action on my behalf.

God was shutting doors, blocking their attempts to harm me, and blessing me right in front of their faces. It was nothing short of miraculous. They even admitted to stealing money from me—money that they’d taken from my beach dues—but that’s a story for another time. The point is, while I went through immense difficulty, I saw God’s favor poured out over my life.

The Transformation: Becoming Better, Not Bitter

At the heart of all of this was a choice: bitterness or betterment. I chose to let God work on me and transform me. I chose forgiveness over resentment. I chose healing over hurt. And I watched as God not only restored everything that was stolen from me—emotionally, physically, and financially—but He flooded me with favor. The floodgates of blessings opened, and I’m still experiencing His generosity today.

The truth is, I don’t live in that place anymore. I don’t have to deal with those people, because God worked it all out. But what I’ve learned is that I’m not responsible for their actions—I’m responsible for how I respond. And when I responded with forgiveness, God made sure I was taken care of.

They may have thought they had power, but God showed them who was really in control. He stripped away the little bit of power they thought they had, and He did it in such a magnificent way. God knew I would face these challenges before I even moved into that house, and while He didn’t cause the problem, He was with me in the midst of it, guiding me and helping me through.

The Takeaway: A Heart of Forgiveness

I’m still in the process of healing—God’s work in me is ongoing. But today, my faith is stronger than ever. Yes, I still have my moments, but God has gone out of His way to show me how much He loves me. He cares about every detail of my life. Even when things were stolen from me, even when I was sick and emotionally drained, He protected me and shut down the schemes against me.

And now, when I look back, I see that it wasn’t just about them—it was about me. God allowed me to go through this trial to bring me closer to Him, to refine my character, and to teach me the power of forgiveness.

So, to anyone facing a similar struggle, I want to remind you: You have a choice. You can be bitter, or you can be better. You can choose forgiveness and trust that God will take care of the rest. No matter how much power others may have, God is the ultimate authority. And if you let Him, He will work things out for your good.

God Bless, and Choose Him. Choose Forgiveness.

I hope this blog encourages you to trust in God’s process, even when things don’t make sense. Remember: You are not defined by the actions of others, but by how you choose to respond. Keep choosing God, and He will continue to show you His favor. ✝️💯